Brackendowns CPF member, Christopher Sipho Ndlovu, popularly known as Christos, survived multiple gunshots during an armed robbery.
The robbery took place on September 2, just after 19:00.
The near-fatal incident, which is also suspected to be a smash-and-grab robbery, took place on Heidelberg Road, on the Kliprivier bridge.
Four suspects stood on one side of the road, while another three stood on the opposite side. As Christos was about to pass the first four suspects, the other three suspects pounced and jumped onto the road. Struck by sudden confusion, he slammed on his brakes.
Two gun-wielding suspects rushed to the car doors, while the others smashed the car windows using rocks. Christos opened the car door in an attempt to flee, but a shot rang out, hitting him in the back of his shoulders, with the bullet exiting in front of his shoulder.
He kept running but fell a few metres down the road. The suspect pursued him and shot again, this time hitting Christos in his wrist which was left broken by the bullet that struck.
But what the suspect didn’t realise was that Christos was also armed, and as the suspect approached, he had drawn his firearm. When the suspect shot him in the wrist, he returned fire, forcing the suspect to retreat.
He kept shooting aimlessly due to his injuries, which ultimately led to the suspect running away towards the group of criminals who were also fleeing in various directions. The suspects are unknown and still at large.
An injured Christos lay on the road for about half an hour, unable to reach for his phone until a taxi driver and two passengers who were driving on the road came to his rescue and assisted him.
A SAPS vehicle was spotted not far from where the incident took place, and it called for medical attention.
Christos was hospitalised for 10 days, and released to the care of his loved ones on September 12.
He is recovering at home but is unable to run his business, bathe himself, eat on his own, or provide for his family.
His family says the situation is upsetting him because he is no longer able to do the basics. “He (Christos) has changed drastically. He is now short tempered, always quiet and feels pity for himself because he can’t do the most basic things,” said his daughter Priscilla Ndlovu.
The family is appealing to Albertonians to assist with Christos’s medical check-ups because he is unable to work.
For monetary donations use Capitec bank account number: 1 840 837 665 (Priscilla Ndlovu), the family would also appreciate any type of donation and the public can also visit Christo’s Pizza to hand deliver their donations.
Priscilla Ndlovu can be contacted on 069 394 0187 (calls or WhatsApp).
